Frequently Asked Questions

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1. Is it required that my family dentist schedule my appointment with the orthodontist?
No, it is not. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, yet many other patients take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves.

2. At what age should I schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age 7. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition.

3. Will my teeth straighten out as they grow?
No, they will not. The space available for the front teeth does not increase as you grow. In most people, after the permanent molars erupt, the space available for the front teeth decreases with age.

4. How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
If you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply call our office or send us an e-mail. We will be happy to schedule an appointment for you. When you call to schedule your appointment, our front office staff will request some basic information from you.

5. What will happen at the initial examination appointment?
Upon arriving, each patient will be asked for the new patient forms and insurance card. The doctor will then complete a thorough clinical exam. Additional information, such as X-rays or photographs, may be needed for proper diagnosis.

6. What will I learn from the initial examination?
There are five essential questions that we will cover during the initial examination:

· Is there an orthodontic problem, and if so, what is it?
· What must be done to correct the problem?
· Will any teeth need to be removed?
· How long will the treatment take to complete?
· How much will the treatment cost?
7. Will I need to have teeth extracted for braces?
Removing teeth is sometimes required to achieve the best orthodontic result. Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are the goal of orthodontics. However, because new technology has provided advanced orthodontic procedures, removing teeth is not always necessary for orthodontic treatment.

8. How long will it take to complete treatment?
Treatment time obviously depends on each patient’s specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment time lasts from 8 months to 30 months. The "average" time frame a person is in braces is approximately 18-24 months.

9. How much will braces cost? Are financing options available? How does my insurance work?
It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until we have examined you. We will cover the exact cost and financial options during the initial examination. We have several financing options available to accommodate your needs, and we will review these with you. We will also review your insurance policy and help to maximize your benefit and file your claims.

10. How often will I have appointments?
Appointments are scheduled according to each patient's needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every 8 to 12 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.

11. Can I schedule all of my appointments after school?
Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled 8 to 12 weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school due to their orthodontic treatments. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.

12. Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
Yes. We understand your busy schedule, and we are happy to help you make the most of your time. On some occasions, we may request to speak with a parent when they return, so we ask that parents check in with their patient manager before dropping off their child.

13. Do braces hurt?
Generally, braces do not "hurt." After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, pain medications such as Advil or Tylenol will ease the discomfort. However, after most visits, patients do not feel any soreness at all! We often remind our patients, “It does not have to hurt to work!”

14. Can I return to school the day I receive my braces?
Yes. There is no reason you cannot return to school the same day.

15. Do you give shots?
No. Shots are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.

16. Do you use recycled braces?
Absolutely not! It is our belief that each patient should be provided with their own braces to achieve the best orthodontic result possible.

17. Can I still play sports?
Yes. We recommend a mouth guard for all sports.

18. Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?
Yes! Regular checkups with your family dentist are important while in braces. Your family dentist will determine the intervals between cleaning appointments while you are in braces.

19. Are there foods I cannot eat while I have braces?
Yes. Once treatment begins, we will explain the complete instructions and provide a comprehensive list of foods to avoid. Some of those foods include: ice, hard candy, raw vegetables and all sticky foods (i.e. caramel and taffy). You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.

20. How often should I brush my teeth while in braces?
Patients should brush their teeth at least four times each day - after each meal and before going to bed. We will show each patient how to floss their teeth with braces and may also provide a prescription for a special fluoride, if necessary.

21. What is an emergency appointment? How are those handled?
If your braces are causing extreme pain or if something breaks, you should call our office. In most cases, we can address these issues over the telephone. If you require an emergency appointment, we will set aside time for you.

22. Can orthodontic correction occur while a child has baby teeth?
Yes. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to require early intervention. However, if a patient is not yet ready for treatment, we will follow that patient's growth and development until the time is right for treatment to begin.

23. What is Phase One (early) Treatment?
Phase One treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10. Phase One treatment usually lasts about 6-18 months. The primary objective for Phase One treatment is to address significant problems to prevent them from becoming more severe and to improve self-esteem and self-image.

24. Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
It is best to assume that your child will need full braces even after Phase One treatment. The period following Phase One treatment is called the "resting period," during which growth and tooth eruption are closely monitored. Throughout this period, parents and patients will be kept informed of future treatment recommendations.

25. Will my child need an expander?
At the completion of the initial examination, we will determine whether a patient will need an expander.

26. Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
A surprising percentage of our patients are adults. In fact, 25 percent of all orthodontic patients are adults. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is "too old" to wear braces!

27. Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?
Yes. A tooth with a crown will move just like a tooth with a simple filling. When teeth are missing, orthodontic treatment will aid in the alignment of the remaining teeth.

28. Why should you choose an orthodontic specialist?
Teeth, and sometimes entire facial structures, are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed. Orthodontic specialists have extensive and specialized training that enables them to provide their patients with professional, personalized treatments.

Emergency

While you are in braces, if you should have a problem, try these "home remedies" first, and if these don’t give you any relief, please call us Monday through Thursday at 618-463-7002 for Alton or 618-654-8017 for Highland. After hours and on the weekends, call 618-406-8392 and leave a message – your call will be returned as soon as possible.

As a general rule, always keep the wax that we give you nearby. Our wax is your "First-Aid Kit." You can usually place wax on anything that is causing discomfort and it will feel better until you can get in to see us. If you go out of town and forget to bring your wax, most drugstores carry wax. Listed below are some things that you might try before calling the office.

WIRE STICKING — Try feeling the very back of the wire with your fingernail and try to slide it back around and center the wire. If this doesn’t work, place some wax on the back of the wire and call our office for an appointment.

LOOSE BRACES — If one of your braces should come loose, this is NOT an emergency. If the bracket is not hurting you or cutting you, it is perfectly fine to wait until the next available business day to call for a repair appointment. One exception being, if you are scheduled to have your braces removed at the next appointment, then you would want to call us on the next business day so we can repair the loose bracket. As a general rule, loose braces do not hurt, they are just annoying. Place a small ball of wax over the loose bracket to keep it from moving around. If a loose bracket actually comes out of your mouth, please save it and bring it with you when you come in for your appointment.

PAIN — There are a couple of things that may cause discomfort while you are wearing your braces. After each adjustment, you may experience some soreness for a couple of days. Generally Tylenol or Advil (or whatever you take for a headache) will take care of the soreness.

APPLIANCES — As with any appliance, if any part of it comes loose or breaks, save the piece and bring it with you when you come in to see us. Call our office on the next business day and schedule an appointment to come in and have your appliance repaired. If the entire appliance breaks and you can take it out, do so and call us to schedule an appointment to have it put back in. Please save the appliance and bring it with you. If your appliance has any rough spots that are irritating your mouth, place some wax on the spot that is rough and call us on the next business day and we will get you in to check it for you.

SWOLLEN OR PUFFY GUM TISSUE — Swollen gums are caused by not properly brushing and cleaning your teeth. Not only do you need to brush your teeth and braces, your gum tissue is equally important. You should spend a minimum of 3 minutes brushing after you eat. Flossing between your teeth helps remove any particles of food that may have gotten under your gum tissue. When your gum tissue is swollen, you will notice that your gums bleed when you brush. Don’t let that stop you from brushing – the bleeding is part of them shrinking back down to normal size. KEEP BRUSHING. Rinsing with warm saltwater helps speed up the healing process. When a patient comes in with swollen gum tissue, we will usually go over the brushing instructions with them.

LOOSE TEETH — It is not at all unusual for your teeth to feel loose when you are wearing braces, as we are moving them from one position to another. When your teeth are where they are supposed to be and your braces are removed, your retainers are worn to hold your teeth in their new position and they will tighten back up.